Lipid Composition and Associated Gene Expression Patterns during Pollen Germination and Pollen Tube Growth in Olive (Olea europaea L.).

Pollen lipids are essential for sexual reproduction, but our current knowledge regarding lipid dynamics in growing pollen tubes is still very scarce. Here, we report unique lipid composition and associated gene expression patterns during olive pollen germination. Up to 376 genes involved in the biosynthesis of all lipid classes, except suberin, cutin and lipopolysaccharides, are expressed in olive pollen. The fatty acid profile of olive pollen is markedly different compared with other plant organs. Triacylglycerol (TAG), containing mostly C12-C16 saturated fatty acids, constitutes the bulk of olive pollen lipids. These compounds are partially mobilized, and the released fatty acids enter the ß-oxidation pathway to yield acetyl-CoA, which is converted into sugars through the glyoxylate cycle during the course of pollen germination. Our data suggest that fatty acids are synthesized de novo and incorporated into glycerolipids by the 'eukaryotic pathway' in elongating pollen tubes. Phosphatidic acid is synthesized de novo in the endomembrane system during pollen germination and seems to have a central role in pollen tube lipid metabolism. The coordinated action of fatty acid desaturases FAD2-3 and FAD3B might explain the increase in linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids observed in germinating pollen. Continuous synthesis of TAG by the action of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) enzyme, but not phosphoplipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT), also seems plausible. All these data allow for a better understanding of lipid metabolism during the olive reproductive process, which can impact, in the future, on the increase in olive fruit yield and, therefore, olive oil production.

Paediatric morphoea: a holistic review. Part 2: diagnosis, measures of disease activity, management and natural history.

Paediatric morphoea is a debilitating fibrosing disorder of uncertain aetiology, affecting the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Defining optimum management strategies in paediatric morphoea remains an ongoing challenge, owing to the varied presentations and a relative paucity of paediatric-specific studies. We performed a literature search on PubMed, MEDLINE and Google Scholar, using keywords such as 'pediatric morphea', 'juvenile localised scleroderma' and 'juvenile systemic sclerosis'. Relevant studies, including randomized trials, reviews of standard current guidelines and original research articles, were selected and results analysed before summarizing them. In Part 1 of this review, we described the epidemiology, aetiopathogenesis and clinical classification; in this part, we discuss the diagnosis, markers of disease activity, management and natural history in paediatric morphoea.

The clinicoaetiological, hormonal and histopathological characteristics of melasma in men.

BACKGROUND: Melasma is relatively uncommon in males, and there is a paucity of data on male melasma, including its clinical pattern, triggering factors, endocrine profile and histopathological findings. AIM: To characterize the clinical findings and aetiological factors, including hormonal and histopathological features, of male melasma. METHODS: Male patients with melasma and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Demographic profile, risk factors, clinical pattern and Wood lamp findings of patients were recorded. Sera were obtained from patients and HCs to determine hormone levels. Biopsy specimens were obtained from lesional and adjacent nonlesional skin. RESULTS: In total, 50 male patients with melasma and 20 HCs were recruited into the study. Mean age of patients was 27.58 ± 4.51 years. The most common clinical pattern of melasma was malar, which occurred in 52% of cases. Positive family history was present in 16% of patients, while 34% had disease aggravation with sun exposure and 62% used mustard oil for hair growth and/or as an emollient. Wood lamp examination revealed epidermal-type melasma in 54% of patients. There were no significant differences in hormone levels between patients and HCs. Histologically, epidermal melanin, elastotic degeneration, vascular proliferation and mast cells were more pronounced in lesional compared with nonlesional skin. Absent to weak expression of oestrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and stem cell factor was observed in lesional skin. CONCLUSION: Ultraviolet light and mustard oil are important causative factors in male melasma. Although stress and family history may contribute, hormonal factors possibly have no role. Quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical markers would provide insight in understanding the pathogenesis of melasma.

Commercial cuts and carcass characteristics of sheep and goats supplemented with multinutritional blocks / Cortes comerciales y característica de la canal de borregos y cabritos suplementados con bloques multinutricionales

ABSTRACT Objective. Aimed to identify the weight and yield of the commercial cuts, muscularity, and adiposity in the carcasses of sheep and goats grazing in the Caatinga supplemented with different sources of supplementations; these include feed-blocks. Material and methods. Sixty non-castrated males an initial average body weight of 18.63 ± 1.93 kg were used: 30 goats and 30 sheep all animals did not have a defined breed standard (WDBS). The experimental design used was entirely randomized (DIC), in factorial scheme 3x2 (three types of supplementation: mineral salt, MBs and MBs + buffel hay, and two species: sheep and goats) and 10 replications. Animals were raised in a rangeland grazing system in an area with vegetation characteristic of Caatinga ecosystem under three types of supplementation: 1: only mineral salt; 2: Feed blocks (MBs); and 3: MBs + buffel hay There were measured the weight, yield and the components of left half-part of carcass of lambs and kids. Results. The sheep were superior to goats in carcass conformation, loin-eye area, index of muscularity of the leg and compactness index of the leg while the goats were superior to sheep in leg muscles weight. Conclusions. Sheep and Goats, when fed with supplementation of pasture feeding blocks in the Caatinga ecosystem; Supplementation with mineral salt and Multinutritional Blocks with and without Buffel can be used to improve herds in the caatinga, with similar results among the three. Sheep show more adiposity of meat than goats, in contrast, goats have higher musculature than sheep when fed with feed blocks.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Con el objetivo de identificar el peso y rendimiento de los cortes comerciales, musculatura y adiposidad en las canales de borregos y cabritos pastando en la Caatinga suplementado con diferentes fuentes de suplementos; Estos incluyen bloques de alimentación. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 60 machos no castrados con un peso corporal medio inicial de 18,63 ± 1,93 kg: 30 borregos y 30 cabritos, todos los animales no tenían un estándar de raza definido (WDBS). El diseño experimental utilizado fue totalmente al azar (DIC), en esquema factorial 3x2 (tres tipos de suplementación: sal mineral, MBs y MBs + heno buffel, y dos especies: borregos y cabritos) y 10 repeticiones. Los animales fueron criados en un sistema de pastoreo de pastizales en un área con vegetación característica del ecosistema de Caatinga bajo tres tipos de suplementación: 1: sal mineral solamente; 2: Bloques de alimentación (MBs); Y 3: MBs + heno buffel Se midió el peso, el rendimiento y los componentes de la mitad izquierda de la carcasa de corderos y cabritos. Resultados. Las cordeiros fueron superiores a los cabritos en conformación de carcasas, área de lomo, índice de musculatura de la pierna y índice de compacidad de la pierna mientras que los cabritos fueron superiores a las cordeiros en el peso de los músculos de las piernas. Conclusión. Cordeiros y cabritos, cuando se alimentan con suplementos de bloques de alimentación de pasto en el ecosistema de Caatinga; La suplementación con sal mineral y Bloques Multinutritivos con y sin Buffel puede ser utilizada para mejorar los rebaños en la caatinga, con resultados similares entre los tres. Las cordeiros muestran más adiposidad de carne que los cabritos, en contraste, las cabritos tienen mayor musculatura que las cordeiros cuando se alimentan con bloques de alimentación.

Corrective role of Eugenia jambolana on testicular impairment in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino rat: an approach through genomic and proteomic study.

The present study was conducted to explore the effect of ethyl acetate fraction of hydro-methanolic (40 : 60) extract of seed of Eugenia jambolana on testicular impairment in diabetic rats. In this respect, biomarkers of oxidative stress, genomics and proteomics in testicular tissue were assessed. Side by side, glycated haemoglobin, serum testosterone, activities of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase in serum, epididymal sperm count including reproductive organosomatic indices were evaluated. Results indicate that a significant recovery (P < 0.05) in the levels of these parameters in fraction-treated diabetic group in comparison with diabetic control. A significant recovery was noted (P < 0.05) in the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 gene towards the control after the treatment of said fraction. Histological study also focused a significant recovery (P < 0.05) in the number of different generation of germ cells at stage VII of spermatogenesis in fraction-treated diabetic group. The said fraction treatment to diabetic rat can recover the activities of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase significantly towards the control (P < 0.05). Finally, it may be concluded that ethyl acetate fraction of seed of E. jambolana has a promiseable remedial effect on diabetes-induced testicular dysfunctions in male rat without inducing any metabolic toxicity.

Bioefficacy of hydromethanolic extract of tuber of Chlorophytum borivilianum (Safed Musli) for the management of male infertility in cyproterone acetate-treated albino rats.

Increase in male sexual dysfunction, and its treatment with conventional aphrodisiac drugs with side effects lead to investigate the spermatogenesis and androgenesis augmentative efficacy of hydromethanolic (40 : 60) extract of root of Chlorophytum borivilianum (family - Liliaceae) against cyproterone acetate-induced subfertility in Wistar strain male albino rat. For this purpose, experimental rats were divided into three treatment groups: vehicle (received distilled water), cyproterone acetate (gastric intubation at 250 mg kg(-1) twice daily for 35 days) and cyproterone acetate plus root extract of C. borivilianum (gastric intubation at 250 mg kg(-1) plus 400 mg kg(-1) with an interval of 20 min twice daily for 35 days). After 35-day treatment, all rats were euthanised. Reproductive deviations towards negative side were investigated by screening the spermatogenic and steroidogenic biosensors. Oxidative stress profile in reproductive organs and sperm pellet was evaluated by biochemical assessment of antioxidative enzyme activities and level of end products of the lipid peroxidation. Apoptosis profile was evaluated by Western blot study, TUNEL assay and DNA fragmentation study of testicular tissues. Evaluation of toxicity profile was included for experimental investigation. After cyproterone acetate treatment, the pituitary-testicular axis was deviated towards the negative side and its tuning system was affected by oxidative stress and apoptosis-mediated process, which reduced the quality of semen and finally led to subfertility. Co-administration of C. borivilianum root extract enhanced male reproductive potentiality and prevented the negative deviations after the treatment with cyproterone acetate by means of increasing oxidative defence and maintaining homeostasis in testicular apoptosis process.

Characterization of profilin polymorphism in pollen with a focus on multifunctionality.

Profilin, a multigene family involved in actin dynamics, is a multiple partners-interacting protein, as regard of the presence of at least of three binding domains encompassing actin, phosphoinositide lipids, and poly-L-proline interacting patches. In addition, pollen profilins are important allergens in several species like Olea europaea L. (Ole e 2), Betula pendula (Bet v 2), Phleum pratense (Phl p 12), Zea mays (Zea m 12) and Corylus avellana (Cor a 2). In spite of the biological and clinical importance of these molecules, variability in pollen profilin sequences has been poorly pointed out up until now. In this work, a relatively high number of pollen profilin sequences have been cloned, with the aim of carrying out an extensive characterization of their polymorphism among 24 olive cultivars and the above mentioned plant species. Our results indicate a high level of variability in the sequences analyzed. Quantitative intra-specific/varietal polymorphism was higher in comparison to inter-specific/cultivars comparisons. Multi-optional posttranslational modifications, e.g. phosphorylation sites, physicochemical properties, and partners-interacting functional residues have been shown to be affected by profilin polymorphism. As a result of this variability, profilins yielded a clear taxonomic separation between the five plant species. Profilin family multifunctionality might be inferred by natural variation through profilin isovariants generated among olive germplasm, as a result of polymorphism. The high variability might result in both differential profilin properties and differences in the regulation of the interaction with natural partners, affecting the mechanisms underlying the transmission of signals throughout signaling pathways in response to different stress environments. Moreover, elucidating the effect of profilin polymorphism in adaptive responses like actin dynamics, and cellular behavior, represents an exciting research goal for the future.

Narrowband ultraviolet B versus psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy for severe plaque psoriasis: an Indian perspective.

There is a dearth of studies comparing the efficacy of psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA) and narrowband (NB)-UVB in psoriasis in South Asian patients. Patients having plaque psoriasis with > 20% body surface area involvement were randomly assigned to one of two groups (group A: NB-UVB, group B: PUVA). The response to treatment was assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) at baseline and every 2 weeks thereafter. The maximum possible treatment duration was 16 weeks. In total, 43 patients (21 NB-UVB, 22 PUVA) completed the study. Marked improvement was seen in 80.9% of the patients in group A and 81.8% in group B (NS: P > 0.05). The mean ± SD time taken to achieve marked improvement was 9.9 ± 3.3 and 9.9 ± 3.5 weeks, respectively. In total, 29 patients were available for the analysis of the remission data at 6 months after treatment completion; 26.7% of the patients in group A and 42.8% in group B were in remission (NS: P > 0.05). Both methods seem to be equally effective in achieving clearance and maintaining remission of severe chronic plaque psoriasis in patients with Fitzpatrick skin type 4 and 5.

Therapeutic effect of ferulic acid, an ethereal fraction of ethanolic extract of seed of Syzygium cumini against streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male rat.

Diabetic therapeutic and antioxidative effects of an ethereal fraction of the ethanolic extract of the seed of Syzygium cumini was studied in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes resulted in a significant elevation in the fasting blood glucose level and in the activity of hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase. There was diminution in the levels of glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscle along with diminution in the activities of hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, catalase and peroxidase in diabetic rats when compared with controls. Hepatic levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and conjugated dienes (CD) were elevated in respect to control. Oral coadministration of the above fraction to diabetic rats resulted in significant protection in all these parameters. Histological studies of the pancreas showed a qualitative diminution in the area and volume of the islet's of Langerhans, but coadministration of the specific fraction resulted in a significant recovery of the islet's of Langerhans. Chromatography study revealed that the used fraction was ferulic acid (FA). Treatment with FA in normoglycemic rats did not show any significant change in the levels of the selected biosensors. The possible hypothesis for the therapeutic effect of FA against diabetes may be due to its pancreatic beta-cell regenerative effect and/or due to its antioxidant properties.

Psoralen and ultraviolet A and narrow-band ultraviolet B in inducing stability in vitiligo, assessed by vitiligo disease activity score: an open prospective comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a common pigmentary disorder with great cosmetic and psychological morbidity and an unpredictable course. No treatment available is a definitive cure. Systemic psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) has been the mainstay of treatment. Narrow-band UVB (NBUVB) was later introduced. In this study, we have compared the phototherapy modalities PUVA and NBUVB in inducing stability in vitiligo, assessed by using vitiligo disease activity score (VIDA), for the first time. AIMS: To investigate the position of NBUVB vis-à-vis PUVA in terms of stability achieved during therapy as indicated by the VIDA scores. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: It was an open, prospective study of 50 patients divided equally in PUVA and NBUVB groups. The study period was from January 2004 to June 2005. This study was done as a part of a larger project to compare the efficacy of mentioned modalities in degree of repigmentation. RESULTS: In the NBUVB group, disease activity was present in 40% patients before commencement of therapy, which was reduced to 16% at the end of therapy (statistically significant, P = 0.049). In the PUVA group, similar figures were 20% and 16%, respectively. In the NBUVB group, 50% of patients whose disease was active prior to commencement of therapy had less than 50% repigmentation, whereas an equal number of patients had repigmentation of more than 50%. Almost an equal number of stable patients had less than and more than 50% repigmentation. In the PUVA group, 4 of the 5 (80%) patients who had active disease had less than 50% repigmentation, whereas only 1 patient (20%) with active disease obtained more than 50% repigmentation. The time to attain stability was 3.6 +/- 2.1 months in the NBUVB group and 3.22 +/- 3.1 months in the PUVA group. Eight of the 10 (80%) patients with unstable disease in the NBUVB group achieved stability, whereas 2 of the 5 (40%) patients of similar pre-treatment status in the PUVA group achieved stability. CONCLUSION: NBUVB was in a more statistically advantageous position vis-à-vis PUVA, in respect to stability achieved and efficacy in both active and stable disease in a comparable time period.

Comparison of systemic PUVA and NB-UVB in the treatment of vitiligo: an open prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a common pigmentary disorder with great cosmetic and psychological morbidity. No treatment available is a definitive cure. Systemic psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) has been the mainstay of treatment. Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) has been recently introduced. Although retrospective comparative study of systemic PUVA and NB-UVB has been published from our centre, no prospective study has been reported to date. AIMS: To investigate the position of NB-UVB vis-à-vis PUVA in terms of efficacy, time to repigment and adverse effects and to help decide if one therapy has an advantage over another in the treatment of vitiligo. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: It was a randomized, open, prospective study of 50 patients divided equally in TMP PUVA and NB-UVB groups. The study period was from January 2004 to June 2005. RESULTS: The mean degree of repigmentation attained in the NB-UVB group was 52.24% over a mean treatment period of 6.3 months, whereas in the PUVA group it was 44.7% in a mean period of 5.6 months (P=0.144). After excluding the results of therapy-resistant sites, that is, hands and feet, the mean degree of repigmentation in the NB-UVB group was 67.57%, whereas in the PUVA group it was 54.2% (P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: NB-UVB performed better in comparison to TMP PUVA in terms of mean total repigmentation when traditionally considered therapy-resistant sites were excluded.

Antimicrobial activity of Argentine plants used in the treatment of infectious diseases. Isolation of active compounds from Sebastiania brasiliensis.

Different extracts of Sebastiania brasiliensis, Sebastiania klotszchiana, Polygonum punctatum, Lithraea molleoides and Myrcianthes cisplatensis, all plants growing in Entre Ríos Province and traditionally used as antiseptics, were tested against a set of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and fungi. All the species, with the exception of M. cisplatensis, presented activity against some of the microorganisms tested. A 50% hydroalcoholic extract of S. brasiliensis was selected for bioguided fractionation. Two antimicrobial compounds identified as methylgallate (MIC 128 microg/ml) and protocatechuic acid (MIC 128 microg/ml) were isolated apart from quercetin, kaempferol, quercitrin and gallic acid.

In vitro antifungal evaluation and studies on mode of action of eight selected species from the Argentine flora.

Twenty nine extracts belonging to eight species of the Argentine flora reported as antifungal in folk medicine, were assayed for antifungal properties by using the agar dilution method, against a panel of yeasts, filamentous fungi as well as dermatophytes. Nine extracts belonging to six species, exhibited a broad spectrum of activity against Microsporum cants, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum, with MICs ranging from 25 to 900 µg/ml. A dichloromethanis extract of Polygonum ferrugineum was the most active extract with MICs from 25-50 µg/ml. To gain an insight into the mode of action of the active extracts they were evaluated for their inhibitory activities toward the fungal cell wall, using the whole cell Neurospora crassa hyphal growth inhibition agar diffusion assay. A hazy zone around the paper disk strongly suggested that the dichloromethane extracts from aerial parts of Polygonum punctatum, Polygonum ferrugineum and the bark of Luehea divaricata acted by inhibiting polymer synthesis or assembly of the cell wall. The clear zone of inhibition produced by the dichloromethane and methanol antifungal extracts of Xanthium spinosum could be ascribed to the fact that these extracts have another effect on fungal cells in addition to inhibition of cell walls.

Experimental modulation of the reactivity of pleural milky spots (Kampmeier's foci) by Freund's adjuvants, betamethasone and mycobacterial infection.

We studied the response of milky spots in the parietal pleura of the rat and mouse to intrapleural instillation of immunomodulatory agents such as complete or incomplete Freund's adjuvants and betamethasone, and also to infection by mycobacteria (M. avium). Both incomplete (mineral oil) and complete (mineral oil plus dead mycobacteria) adjuvants, as well as M. avium infection, induced a striking increase in the size and cellularity of the pleural milky spots whereas betamethasone caused a slight atrophy. The extensive inflammatory infiltrates observed after adjuvant injection differed between milky spots reactive to complete and incomplete Freund's adjuvants. Fifteen days after adjuvant administration, the pleural milky spots of rats were still enlarged and hypercellular but differences were noted in the size of milky spots of the pleura between the 2 adjuvant treatments: animals submitted to injection of complete Freund's adjuvant showed an increase in the size of milky spots from d 3 to d 15, while the size of milky spots of the incomplete Freund's adjuvant treated group showed a decrease in size from d 3 to d 15. The milky spots at d 15 were well organised: reticulin fibres permeated the whole area of the milky spot and the different cell types were evenly distributed. Histiocytes, which were previously confined to the inner layer, were now the main cell type in all areas of milky spots. A moderate number of mast cells and a few eosinophils were also seen. Complete Freund's adjuvant caused the formation of granulomas in the milky spots, a change that was not detected in animals treated with incomplete adjuvant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Poisoning by the use of Datura leaves in a homemade toothpaste.

Datura stramonium and related species are relatively common causes of atropine-like poisoning by ingestion or inhalation. Toxic absorption after mucosal application is evident in 24 h of atropinism sustained by a woman who used a toothpaste mixed with the leaves and flowers of Datura sp., table salt, vinegar and an alcoholic beverage.

Pharmacology of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf). I. Effects of teas prepared from the leaves on laboratory animals.

Cymbopogon citratus is one of the most used plants in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of nervous and gastrointestinal disturbances. It is also used in many other places to treat feverish conditions. The usual way to use it is by ingesting an infusion made by pouring boiling water on fresh or dried leaves (which is called "abafado" in Portuguese). Abafados obtained from lemongrass harvested in three different areas of Brazil (Ceará, Minas Gerais and São Paulo States) were tested on rats and mice in an attempt to add experimental confirmation to its popular medicinal use. Citral, the main constituent of the essential oil in Brazilian lemongrass, was also studied for comparison. Oral doses of abafados up to 40 times (C40) larger than the corresponding dosage taken by humans, or of 200 mg/kg of citral, were unable to decrease body temperature of normal rats and/or rats made hyperthermic by previous administration of pyrogen. However, both compounds acted when injected by intraperitoneal route. Oral administration of doses C20 -C100 of abafados and 200 mg/kg of citral did not change the intestinal transit of a charcoal meal in mice, nor did it decrease the defecation scores of rats in an open-field arena. Again, by intraperitoneal route both compounds were active. The possible central nervous system depressant effect of the abafados was investigated by using batteries of 12 tests designed to detect general depressant, hypnotic, neuroleptic, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects. In all the tests employed, oral doses of abafados up to C208 or of citral up to 200 mg/kg were without effect. Only in a few instances did intraperitoneal doses demonstrate effects. These data do no lend support to the popular oral therapeutic use of lemongrass to treat nervous and intestinal ailments and feverish conditions.